Director of Business Applications & D365 F&O (Chicago)

Director of Business Applications & D365 Finance & OperationsGreater Chicago Area | $180K+ Base + BonusThe Opportunity

A major manufacturing organization in the Greater Chicago area is seeking a Director of Business Applications to lead enterprise ERP strategy and digital transformation. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who understands complex manufacturing operations and can drive real change at the executive level.

If you've spent your career in manufacturing—understanding production planning, supply chain complexity, and the operational realities that drive business decisions—this role is built for you. You'll work with a leadership team that values technical excellence, strategic thinking, and results. You'll have the authority to shape technology strategy, the resources to execute transformation initiatives, and the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing team.

Chicago, IL | Onsite 5 days/week

About the Role

As Director of Business Applications, you'll lead enterprise business systems strategy, ERP initiatives, and technology transformation efforts across operations, supply chain, and finance. You'll oversee everything from platform strategy to implementation execution, partner with senior leadership to drive operational improvements, and build the team and processes that keep systems running and evolving.

This is not a support role—it's a strategic leadership position. You'll influence how the organization uses technology to compete, optimize, and grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction, optimization, and governance of enterprise business applications across the organization
• Oversee D365 F&O initiatives, including implementations, enhancements, integrations, and ongoing support
• Partner closely with manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and finance leadership to identify and drive process improvements
• Drive solutions supporting production planning, inventory management, warehousing, procurement, master scheduling, and distribution
• Champion process automation, advanced reporting, analytics, and emerging technologies (AI, Copilot, Power Platform)
• Manage relationships with implementation partners, vendors, and key business stakeholders
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing business applications team

What We're Looking For – Required Qualifications:

• Extensive hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) or Dynamics AX—you know the platform deeply
• Proven success leading ERP programs and teams within complex manufacturing environments
• Heavy production experience. This is non-negotiable. You understand production control, MRP, BOMs, product costing, production planning, and the operational challenges manufacturers face every day
• Background with Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food & Beverage, Ingredients, Agricultural Processing, Chemicals, or Process Manufacturing organizations
• Strong knowledge of supply chain, inventory management, warehousing, and procurement processes
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across operations, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, and IT teams
• Ability to work onsite, 5 days/week, in Chicago

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with process manufacturing (batch production, formula management, recipe management) rather than purely discrete manufacturing
• Master Planning 365 (Demand Planning) experience or familiarity
• Supply chain planning and optimization expertise
• Exposure to Power Platform, Power BI, or AI-enabled business applications
• Leadership experience building and scaling enterprise application teams
• Working knowledge of EDI, GS1 standards, or retail compliance (nice to have, not required)

Why Join This Organization

• Strategic Impact: Lead enterprise transformation at an executive level. Your decisions shape how the organization competes and operates.
• Manufacturing Focus: Work with an organization that values deep operational expertise. If manufacturing is your world, this is your place.
• Leadership Opportunity: Build and mentor your own team. Develop talent and shape the culture around technical excellence.
• Modern Technology Stack: Work with leading Microsoft technologies—D365 F&O, Power Platform, AI capabilities—and drive innovation.
• Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: $180K+ base + bonus, health insurance, 401(k) matching, professional development support, and competitive perks.
• Career Growth: Clear path to VP-level roles. Exposure to board-level strategy and enterprise leadership.

The Interview Process

This is a critical leadership role, and we take the hiring process seriously. Expect a comprehensive interview process (4 rounds) designed to assess technical depth, leadership capability, cultural fit, and strategic thinking. We're looking for candidates who can articulate their vision for ERP strategy and demonstrate the experience to execute it.

A Note on Location

Primary location is Chicago. While we're based here, we will consider exceptional candidates from the Toledo area or surrounding regions if you're a proven leader with the depth of manufacturing and D365 experience this role requires.

Who You Are

You're a manufacturing ERP leader who understands the difference between knowing software and knowing how to unlock value in a complex manufacturing operation. You've led implementations, managed teams through change, and delivered measurable results. You're strategic but grounded in operational reality. You communicate clearly with C-suite executives and frontline operators alike. You're driven to build something, not just maintain it.

If this sounds like your next opportunity, let's talk.

For confidential consideration, please reach out. All inquiries handled with discretion.

Pay

Pay: $170,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s)

• Do you understand the On-site requirement? The client is not flexible here.

Education

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience

• Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O): 6 years (Preferred)
• ERP Implementation & Management: 6 years (Preferred)
• Consumer packaged goods: 3 years (Preferred)
• Master Planning 365 / Demand Planning: 5 years (Preferred)
• Team Leadership/Management: 5 years (Preferred)
• Process Manufacturing: 5 years (Preferred)

Location

• Chicago, IL 60661 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute

• Chicago, IL 60661 (Required)

Work Location

In person